Caregiver Kits - Testimonials

Kate from Carlsbad, CA

God Delivered What We Did ...

My husband and I are the parents of three small children and although we've always had a heart for the poor we didn't have time to do as much as we'd have liked. But in the fall of 2008 I started getting these intense feelings that I HAD to do something...almost like I couldn't breathe till I did something for the world's poor. But I didn't have a clear direction. Looking back, this feeling was a big work of the Holy Spirit, preparing me for a project He had in mind. Around the first of the year, I was exposed to the caregiver kit project, probably through a random World Vision email. I honestly don't remember. I knew this was the project I'd been unknowingly longing to do. My husband felt equally stirred and so we set out to fundraise. We committed to 75 kits because some estimate is required to start the project. It didn't even cross our minds to hope for more than that. We sent out an email to friends and family and arranged to have a fundraising weekend at two churches. Donations trickled in and we rejoiced like crazy when someone sponsored 10 kits. Little did we know.... As our due date loomed closer, we were hoping and praying to reach the 75. It was unclear if we would make it. Then, out of the blue, someone we'd emailed, who we almost didn't email because it was a slight acquaintance, called us at home and said she'd like to be an anonymous donor up to 200 kits! We couldn't believe it. We redoubled our efforts with our deadline approaching...and prayed, prayed, prayed, fasted, and prayed. Next thing we knew we had an outpouring. Another person sponsored 100 kits and sponsors here and there added up to enough for 650 kits! Our sweet anonymous donor, at the end of the fundraising, complimented my husband and me on our faith to ask God for so many. I laughed and immediately 'fessed up that we didn't have the faith of a mustard seed! We were hoping for 75 and it never even crossed our minds to even pray for more. This was just God's blessing and outpouring, and a sign of His love for the people the kits go to. After all, to stir up donations in the amount of $22,077 during our bleak economic times is astounding...especially considering we are not a wealthy family that rolls in wealthy circles. Incidentally our 200 kit and 100 kit donors are not "wealthy" either...just committed to obeying God's prompting. We had 8 pallets of product delivered to our garage and in one weekend, at two locations, had our assemblies. Everything went smoothly and it was very moving when a huge truck pulled up to our house to receive the pallets to ship to the World Vision Distribution Center. The intensity of the feeling to "do SOMEthing" should have been a sign that God had something bigger than I'd planned in mind. I will NEVER ignore that sensation after this experience because I'd hate to miss out on another divine project. What a privilege to be a part of God's plan! On a practical note, I encourage everyone to send out an email to friends and family and ask them to forward it to their circle of influence. You never know...in our case it was someone almost "random" who was our breakthrough with their matching donation. The project was some work, but not much, and truly, everything I could possibly need was already supplied by World Vision, including templates for bulletin announcements, flyers, etc. Please, if you're considering leading a project, don't turn away because it seems intimidating. It was a far greater output than the work we put into it. Thank you, World Vision, for what you're doing and allowing us to partner with you! Kate and Dave Bartels

Sarah from Sewickley, PA

Little Kids Can Do Big Th ...

Our story began back in October when the World Vision "Step Into Africa" exhibit came to our church. One Sunday we took the youth of the church through the exhibit and they immediately began to formulate ideas on what the next step could be. A group of dedicated middle school girls thus began their fund raising campaign with hopes of collecting $500 to go towards the purchase of caregiver kits. After weeks of raking leaves we had all seen God provide the first $179. We were all very excited about our projected bake sale which was to take place the first week of December. Imagine if we could bring in $250- then we would almost be at our goal! So when the time came the girls were hard at work soliciting donations, each baking two dozen cookies, creating posters, and getting the word out. When all was said and done we ended up raising over $570 at the bake sale alone! People gave generously and alot of cookies changed hands. In the end, with all of the fund raising efforts combined these 11, 12, 13 year old girls earned over $750 dollars which was enough to build 25 Caregiver Kits. After months of thought and preparation, 3 weeks ago the girls were able to build the kits with their own hands and add the personalized notes to each one, cementing what they had just accomplished. All in all it was a great project and I am so very proud of the girls for their hard work. But the biggest lasting impression I have is that our Christian faith is one of action. "I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me." Matthew 25:45

Women of Vision

Giving people the opportunity to DO something besides writing a check was very powerful – reaching out with their hands provided a tangible sense of relief to their souls. These people were all lit up and their energy level was incredible.

— Maureen Thrash, Women of Vision

Wildewood Christian Church

Caregiver Kits are on their way to Denver as you read this. The process throughout the project was fantastic. Every part was familiar, with not only World Vision, but also the specifics of the Caregiver Kit program. World Vision can be proud of the efforts put forth by their people involved in the project. Thanks for your encouragement and communications throughout the whole process. At one time, I was beginning to think we were all alone. But then an e-mail or package would arrive helping us to understand what was next or what to expect. Great job!

— Rick Carlson, Wildewood Christian Church

Mt. Carmel Catholic Church

What stays with me from the Caregiver Kit Event is … the number of people enjoying the task of preparing something that will make a difference in many lives far away; also the age span of volunteers, 3 years old (barely reaching the table) to 80+ years barely able to grasp the soap. The number of caregivers waiting for kits … the number of AIDS [patients] across the globe … the power of ‘numbers’ doing God’s work.”

— Mary Beth, Mt. Carmel Catholic Church

Seneca Creek Community Church

I am the children’s pastor at our church. The thing that drew me to this project is that it was something that the kids could do to learn to serve, to show compassion for others, and to respond to the AIDS crisis abroad. I was blown away by the response of the adults in our church who donated the money.

Our children (K-5th) put all 400 kits together in an hour and a half! They LOVED it! We recently did a lesson with them that taught how God wants us to not just say we love others with our words, but to show it with our actions … After the kids assembled the kits, each small group gathered around the kits and they prayed over them. One of our small group leaders told me how a child in her group who had always been afraid to pray out loud finally did it! It was awesome to see God use this project to grow her to take that step.

I also believe that this project helped our children see that they CAN make a difference. They can use what they have to show the love of Christ to others. They also enjoyed it and learned firsthand how God blesses us as we give to others.

I pray that the people who receive these kits are blessed by them, but I can’t help but wonder if this project did more for changing us!

— Jeannette, Seneca Creek Community Church